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Illinois CDL Requirements
Illinois law requires all CDL drivers to have a valid DOT medical card, unless the type of commerce you drive qualifies as ‘Excepted’ (EI) or (EA).
- Non-Excepted Interstate (NI)
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements. - Non-Excepted Intrastate (NA)
You must meet your State of licensure’s medical certification requirements.
CDL Self-Certification
Initial self-certification and submission of a Medical Examiner’s Certificate, can only be done…
In Person:
At one of 47 Illinois CDL facilities.
Medical Certificate Update
If you are a non-excepted interstate (NI) driver, you must provide the Secretary of State’s office with all updates of your Medical Certificate and/or Medical Variances prior to the corresponding expiration date(s).
After the initial self-certification, Medical Certificates (medical card only, not the long form) can later be renewed…
By Mail:
Secretary of State’s Office
Attn: CDL/Medical Area
2701 South Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, Il 62723
By Fax:
(217) 558-5156
By Email:
cdlmedicalcard@ilsos.net
Attach a scanned PDF file
Questions:
If you have any questions regarding your Medical Examiner’s Certificate
you may telephone (217) 785-3002
Other CDL Information:
Website: http://ilsos.net/departments/drivers/drivers_license/CDL/cdl.html
TIP: Not Driving, But Want to Keep Your CDL
Illinois SOS states:
“These CDL holders must continue to keep the medical certificate valid or change their medical category to one other than NI.”
Special Information Updates Pertaining To ALL STATES
MEDICAL EXAMINERS MUST CONTINUE TO ISSUE MEDICAL CERTIFICATES TO ALL DRIVERS
The FMCSA has requested that all medical examiners continue providing drivers with a paper copy of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate – Form MCSA-5876, so that Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders can provide a copy to the State licensing agency, and the non-CDL drivers can provide the documentation to their employers and Federal and State enforcement officials.
The Agency is currently completing efforts to put into place an electronic system to enable medical examiners to transmit the medical certificate information from the National Registry system to the State licensing agencies.
Until that system is completed, which compliance date according FMCSA is June 23, 2025, medical examiners must continue to issue paper copies of the medical certificates to drivers who pass the medical exam.
ALL DRIVERS MUST CONTINUE TO CARRY A PAPER COPY OF THEIR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
Commercial Drivers – You still need to carry a paper copy of your medical card, until FMCSA announces that this is no longer necessary.
Your Feedback Is Welcome
Dealing with Federal DOT Regulations across the board is tough enough!
But when it comes to State Regulations — There are 50 different sets of rules. Someone could move the goal posts at any time…
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My company has several box trucks (in Illinois)
10-16 ft with lift gates. We just carry warmers with food to go to several schools.
When is it required to have a medical certification cards for our drivers?
Or is this requirement just for trucks who need a CDL license?
@Bill
In most states any driver that is operating a vehicle that is used for commerce and exceeds 10,001 pounds, then the driver (no matter what class license) must have a medical card.
Check with your state Drivers License Department to make your final decision.
If I choose to fax my new medical card documentation, do I need to fax my driver’s license too?
I just received a notice from the State of Illinois that my license is being revoked for failing to submit an acceptable medical examiner’s certificate. I went for the physical on January 5th, 2015 and possess a valid M.E. card. He faxed all the docs to UPS Human resources. Why am I getting this notice and what can I do so that the government has me listed as getting my card properly?
@Ralph
The driver is personally responsible to submit a copy of the medical examiner’s certificate and self-certification affidavit to their State Driver’s License Agency, to update their driver’s license record.
I drive a blue bus once a year from illinois to wisconsin once a year for a church retreat. There is no compensation I receive. I have a renewed CDL with a K restriction. Do I need to get a medical certificate?
@Matthew
You need to check with the state DLD to make that determination.
If you drive a vehicle that carries 15 or more passengers, yes, you need a CDL as well as having the medical data married to the CDL.
I’m intrastate non excepted with the state of il, just renewed my dot card, do I have to take my dot card into the secretary of state to show I had my physical done?
@Biii
Yes. The information at the top of this page explains your options for submitting a copy of your new medical card.
I received a letter saying my CDL license has been canceled due to not getting renewed medical card. I forgot to send this in. If I send it in will they uncancel my license?
I was told I needed a medical report in order to renew my license. What???!! I have never needed this at any time. What driver conditions warrant a medical report?
@Anita
See this article on New FMCSA Medical Certification Requirements to get your questions answered.
I will be traveling with a three horse trailer pulled by a chevy 2500 silverado truck through the state of Illinois on my way to Oklahoma for a horse show. Is a DOT and CDL license required? We are only transporting our own horse and equipment and there is no prize money to be won.
Thanks!
@Jane
In most states if you operate a vehicle in excess of 10001 pounds you may need a medical card.
It is very unlikely you would need to have a CDL to haul your own horses.
And you may not even need a medical card if all you are hauling is your own horses.
Check with the state Drivers License Department to confirm.